That the Education and Culture Committee recommends that the Charity Test (Specified Bodies) and the Protection of Charities Assets (Exemption) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2015 [draft] be approved.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

That the Parliament endorses the Scottish Government’s proposal to nominate Mr George Traill Lyon (self-nominated), Ms Agnes Tolmie (nominated by the Scottish Trades Union Congress) and Ms Irene Oldfather (nominated by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) to the UK Delegation to the European Economic and Social Committee of the European Union for the forthcoming mandate from October 2015 to September 2020.

That the Parliament endorses the Scottish Government’s proposal to nominate Mr George Traill Lyon (self-nominated), Ms Agnes Tolmie (nominated by the Scottish Trades Union Congress) and Ms Irene Oldfather (nominated by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) to the UK Delegation to the European Economic and Social Committee of the European Union for the forthcoming mandate from October 2015 to September 2020.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

That the Parliament notes the contribution that Scotland’s Winter Festival programme makes in promoting Scotland both nationally and internationally as a world-class cultural tourism destination and the perfect stage for events all year round; acknowledges that the programme of St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night celebrations is gathering momentum year-on-year and offers visitors, the people of Scotland and all those with an affinity to Scotland a real taste of the nation's distinct traditions and contemporary culture through the promotion of Scottish music, arts, food and drink; recognises the role that the festivals have and will continue to play in supporting Scotland’s successful programme of themed years, and welcomes the contribution that the winter festivals make in helping to promote Scotland as a great place to visit, study, work, invest and do business all year round.

That the Parliament notes the contribution that Scotland’s Winter Festival programme makes in promoting Scotland both nationally and internationally as a world-class cultural tourism destination and the perfect stage for events all year round; acknowledges that the programme of St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night celebrations is gathering momentum year-on-year and offers visitors, the people of Scotland and all those with an affinity to Scotland a real taste of the nation's distinct traditions and contemporary culture through the promotion of Scottish music, arts, food and drink; recognises the role that the festivals have and will continue to play in supporting Scotland’s successful programme of themed years, and welcomes the contribution that the winter festivals make in helping to promote Scotland as a great place to visit, study, work, invest and do business all year round.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 06/01/2015

That the Parliament agrees that the Historic Environment Scotland Bill be passed.

That the Parliament agrees that the Historic Environment Scotland Bill be passed.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 04/11/2014

That the Parliament recognises that Scotland’s culture is in vigorous health and that this is reflected in the continued success of Scotland’s festivals, including the Edinburgh festivals, which are internationally renowned for their excitement, vision and artistic ambition; congratulates all of those involved in the successful Festival 2014 and the ongoing Culture 2014 on enabling people across Scotland to share in the cultural celebration of the Commonwealth Games; celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of Scotland’s music festivals; acknowledges the importance of all of Scotland’s festivals, both large and small, across all the country, and notes the enjoyment that they bring and their impact on tourism and local economies, and is especially appreciative of the hard work that communities contribute to ensure that smaller regional festivals are a success.

That the Parliament recognises that Scotland’s culture is in vigorous health and that this is reflected in the continued success of Scotland’s festivals, including the Edinburgh festivals, which are internationally renowned for their excitement, vision and artistic ambition; congratulates all of those involved in the successful Festival 2014 and the ongoing Culture 2014 on enabling people across Scotland to share in the cultural celebration of the Commonwealth Games; celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of Scotland’s music festivals; acknowledges the importance of all of Scotland’s festivals, both large and small, across all the country, and notes the enjoyment that they bring and their impact on tourism and local economies, and is especially appreciative of the hard work that communities contribute to ensure that smaller regional festivals are a success.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14/08/2014

That the Education and Culture Committee recommends that the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Treatment of Historic Environment Scotland as Specified Authority) Order 2014 [draft] be approved.

That the Education and Culture Committee recommends that the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Treatment of Historic Environment Scotland as Specified Authority) Order 2014 [draft] be approved.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

Current Status: Fallen on 05/12/2014

That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Historic Environment Scotland Bill.

That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Historic Environment Scotland Bill.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19/06/2014

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Time to Shine, the arts strategy to support Scotland’s children and young people to flourish through culture and creativity; recognises the excellent work carried out across youth arts to support young people engaged with culture and creativity; congratulates Scotland’s youth arts organisations and companies, in particular the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, Y-Dance, the Scottish Youth Theatre, the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; also recognises the many young people involved in the work of Scotland’s national performing companies, the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Opera, and notes the continued importance of collaboration, working with local government and other parties to ensure that participation, creativity, talent development and cultural expression are developed now and in the future.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Time to Shine, the arts strategy to support Scotland’s children and young people to flourish through culture and creativity; recognises the excellent work carried out across youth arts to support young people engaged with culture and creativity; congratulates Scotland’s youth arts organisations and companies, in particular the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, Y-Dance, the Scottish Youth Theatre, the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; also recognises the many young people involved in the work of Scotland’s national performing companies, the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Opera, and notes the continued importance of collaboration, working with local government and other parties to ensure that participation, creativity, talent development and cultural expression are developed now and in the future.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf, Mary Scanlon

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14/05/2014

That the Parliament recognises the importance of Scotland having a strong voice in the EU; believes that Scotland has built a positive foundation for engaging on EU matters and continues to play a progressive role internationally; recognises Scotland’s strong commitment to learning and sharing experience and expertise with other European countries, as highlighted in the Scotland in the European Union paper and the Nordic Baltic Policy Statement; further recognises that, as an independent member state in the EU, Scotland would be able to join the other 28 member states in participating directly in all EU legislation and policy negotiations, ensuring that it is well placed to foster coalitions of support across other member states that will further Scotland’s national interests; believes that Scotland will contribute constructively to the common European interest, drawing on the priorities for improvement and for reform set out in the paper, Scotland’s Priorities for EU Reform, and recognises that direct representation in the EU will protect Scotland’s economic and social interests against the uncertainties and adverse consequences of a UK in/out referendum raising the risk that the UK may exit the EU.

That the Parliament recognises the importance of Scotland having a strong voice in the EU; believes that Scotland has built a positive foundation for engaging on EU matters and continues to play a progressive role internationally; recognises Scotland’s strong commitment to learning and sharing experience and expertise with other European countries, as highlighted in the Scotland in the European Union paper and the Nordic Baltic Policy Statement; further recognises that, as an independent member state in the EU, Scotland would be able to join the other 28 member states in participating directly in all EU legislation and policy negotiations, ensuring that it is well placed to foster coalitions of support across other member states that will further Scotland’s national interests; believes that Scotland will contribute constructively to the common European interest, drawing on the priorities for improvement and for reform set out in the paper, Scotland’s Priorities for EU Reform, and recognises that direct representation in the EU will protect Scotland’s economic and social interests against the uncertainties and adverse consequences of a UK in/out referendum raising the risk that the UK may exit the EU.

Supported by: Humza Yousaf

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22/04/2014

That the Parliament welcomes the results of the 2011 census in Scotland, which present a detailed picture of a vibrant, diverse and dynamic nation, as set out in the six publications to date covering population, households, identity, ethnicity, religion, language, marital status, qualifications and economic status.

That the Parliament welcomes the results of the 2011 census in Scotland, which present a detailed picture of a vibrant, diverse and dynamic nation, as set out in the six publications to date covering population, households, identity, ethnicity, religion, language, marital status, qualifications and economic status.

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the economic impact of the decision by HM Revenue and Customs to transfer all the functions and 200 jobs from its National Compliance Risk offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh to England.

Answered byNicol Stephen
(23/03/2007): The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)change programme which includes major business restructuring and a review ofall of its accommodations is primarily a matter for Her Majesty’s Government. Nodetailed discussions have taken place with the UK Government to date. However,I understand that no decisions have yet been made in relation to the long-termlocation of National Compliance Risk work and no Risk posts will be moved fromcurrent locations until the regional accommodation review process has beencompleted.

Other work may move to Scotland asbusiness streams reorganise. HMRC have already moved 142 posts to Scotlandunder the Government relocation programme and may move further posts as theirplanning work develops. It is therefore too early to speculate on the impact inScotland of any possible job losses.

As we have previously noted,we will take account of potential job losses within the context of futurerelocation decisions.

Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23/03/2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the economic impact of the decision by HM Revenue and Customs to transfer all the functions and 200 jobs from its National Compliance Risk offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh to England.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Lanarkshire would have been legal entitled to exclude non-GP companies limited by shares from the recent tendering process for GP medical services in Harthill.

Answered byAndy Kerr
(08/02/2007): It is for NHS Lanarkshire tomake arrangements for the provision of primary medical services in its area, andto consider, and comply with, all legal requirements in doing so.

Current Status: Answered by Andy Kerr on 08/02/2007

To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Lanarkshire would have been legal entitled to exclude non-GP companies limited by shares from the recent tendering process for GP medical services in Harthill.

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will reply to my letter dated 2 November 2006 regarding the safe containment of hazardous waste during demolition.

Answered byDes McNulty
(05/02/2007): We do not appear to havereceived the Member’s letter of 2 November 2006 on this issue. However,we did receive an e-mail, dated 10 November, from the Member on the same topic,and a reply to this e-mail will be issued shortly. We apologise for the delayin responding.

Current Status: Answered by Des McNulty on 05/02/2007

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will reply to my letter dated 2 November 2006 regarding the safe containment of hazardous waste during demolition.

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what measures have been undertaken to assess and address the security implications for the Parliament building complex of the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) Europe being held on 30 and 31 January 2007.

Answered byGeorge Reid
(01/02/2007): The security implications ofhosting the 2007 Microsoft Government Leaders Forum have been considered veryseriously. The measures undertaken have been based on advice from Lothian andBorders Police and other security authorities and have drawn on previousexperience of managing events held in the Parliament.

Current Status: Answered by George Reid on 01/02/2007

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what measures have been undertaken to assess and address the security implications for the Parliament building complex of the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) Europe being held on 30 and 31 January 2007.

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what financial contribution it will receive from the Scottish Executive towards security costs for the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) Europe.

Answered byGeorge Reid
(01/02/2007): All additional securitycosts incurred by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will be met byMicrosoft. Any additional costs incurred by the Executive are a matter forthem.

Current Status: Answered by George Reid on 01/02/2007

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what financial contribution it will receive from the Scottish Executive towards security costs for the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) Europe.

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent progress has been made to secure the funding for the upgrade of the A801 Avon Gorge road.

Answered byTavish Scott
(18/01/2007): SESTRAN have committed £220,000over the two financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 for detailed design and land acquisitionto be undertaken. In addition, SESTRAN have identified that £9.5 million is requiredfor future years in order to complete the project.

The Scottish Executive providedgrant of £400,000 in September 2005 to Falkirk Council for land acquisition.

Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 18/01/2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent progress has been made to secure the funding for the upgrade of the A801 Avon Gorge road.

To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions there are on local authorities making resources available to fire and rescue boards.

Answered byJohann Lamont
(23/01/2007): Within the scope of the localgovernment settlement, local authorities can choose what priority to attach to theprovision of fire and rescue services over other services for which they have responsibility.

Current Status: Answered by Johann Lamont on 23/01/2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions there are on local authorities making resources available to fire and rescue boards.

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the City of Edinburgh Council’s decision to allocate an extra £50,000 to schools in Edinburgh to address the funding shortfall resulting from increased energy costs in schools and whether it will confirm that the projected shortfall is £1.2 million.

Answered byTom McCabe
(07/12/2006): All local authority budgetarydecisions rest with the local authority concerned. The Executive is providing recordlevels of funding and it is the responsibility of each local authority to allocateits total resources, including locally raised income, on the basis of local needsand priorities. The Executive is not in a position to confirm any projected budgetshortfall within the City of Edinburgh Council.

Current Status: Answered by Tom McCabe on 07/12/2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the City of Edinburgh Council’s decision to allocate an extra £50,000 to schools in Edinburgh to address the funding shortfall resulting from increased energy costs in schools and whether it will confirm that the projected shortfall is £1.2 million.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to address the funding shortfall resulting from increased energy costs in schools.

Answered byTom McCabe
(07/12/2006): The Executive is providing localgovernment with record levels of funding and I have no plans to re-open the 2006-07financial settlement. I will be announcing the provisional 2007-08 local governmentfinance settlement figures to Parliament on 13 December 2006.

Current Status: Answered by Tom McCabe on 07/12/2006

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to address the funding shortfall resulting from increased energy costs in schools.